Animethon celebrates 20th anniversary

Edmonton’s annual festival of Japanese animation is marking two decades this weekend.

Animethon 20 takes place Friday (Aug. 9) through Sunday (Aug. 11) at the MacEwan University downtown campus with a special theme of Seijin-Shiki, a Japanese coming-of-age ceremony celebrating one’s 20th birthday.

Special guests for the three-day festival include comedy improv troupe The 404s, gaming personality Combofiend. Additionally there will be performances from several musical acts (including Kanon Wakeshima, Capella, Thelshter, Booming Tree Taiko, and DJ Shimamura) and appearances by voice actors (including Christopher Sabat, Patrick Seitz, Troy Baker, Carol-Anne Day, Lucas Gilbertson, and Brendan Hunter). Many guests will be part of guest panels.

Other activities include: cosplay, music video and karaoke contests; fan-generated panels; console gaming tournaments, card gaming, and board gaming. Exhibitors will be on hand as part of Artist Alley, and many vendors will be selling items.

Animethon was conceived in 1994 by the Banzai Anime Klub of Alberta as a one-day event promoting Japanese anime. Now a three-day festival, it is currently presented by the non-profit Alberta Society for Asian Popular Arts.

The MacEwan downtown campus is located on 107 Street and 104 Avenue. For schedules, event pass details, and additional information, log on to animethon.org